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Journey Information
There are 4 intercity buses per day from Ithaca to Albany. Traveling by bus from Ithaca to Albany usually takes around 9 hours and 3 minutes, but the fastest OurBus bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 140 mi (226 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $44.75 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Adirondack Trailways |
| Bus lines | 4 |
How much is a bus ticket from Ithaca to Albany?
Bus tickets for a trip from Ithaca to Albany cost $50.00 on average. Tickets cheaper than $50.00 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 27 days in advance to save $55.50 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from Ithaca to Albany?
There are 4 bus lines from Ithaca to Albany available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. Adirondack Trailways offers the most choice in regards to departure times, with a couple of different times on its daily bus schedule.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adirondack Trailways | 2 | 11h 40m | $128.83 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 10h 44m | $79.33 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 12h 15m | $63.87 |
| OurBus | 1 | 4h 16m | $53.69 |
Adirondack Trailways connects areas in New York such as the Adirondacks and Hudson Valley with New York City, serving a total of 94 cities. Some of its top routes include those going to Albany, Ithaca, and Syracuse. Onboard, Adirondack Trailways vehicles have Wi-Fi for internet connectivity on the move and additional amenities, including power outlets, restrooms, air conditioning, overhead lighting, and reclinable seats with footrests.
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 2 trips per day from Ithaca to Albany, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 1 bus trips from Ithaca to Albany every day, with the average journey taking around 12 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Albany usually start from $45.
OurBus is an intercity bus company based in New York City. OurBus provides cheap bus tickets to some of the most popular cities in the United States. All OurBus coaches come equipped with a generous roster of amenities, including extra legroom, freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and complimentary bottled water. With cheap bus tickets starting from $50, OurBus is one of the best ways to travel by bus from Ithaca to Albany if you are looking for comfort at a good price.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 3 minutes to cover the 140 miles from Ithaca to Albany. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 5 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Albany. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00am. To see the times for all buses from Ithaca to Albany, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Ithaca
Blessed with over 150 waterfalls within 10 miles, Ithaca is every outdoors fan’s petit haven. The most notable, and the tallest of the bunch, is the Taughannock Falls. There are hiking trails located close to the falls that will provide an amazing overlook of the falls itself, but do stay away from the water in the gorges. If hiking is not your cup of tea, perhaps a boat cruise on Lake Cayuga, which is the longest of the Finger Lakes, will offer the tranquility and peace of mind you need. For culturally-inclined tourists, don’t hesitate to take a short detour to the State Theatre of Ithaca, which offers top-tier shows and concerts that charm locals and visitors alike.
Ithaca boasts even more restaurants per capita than New York City, and its amazing food scene seems to have a little bit of everything for everyone. For the best burger in town, check out Ithaca Ale House. If Italian food is your thing, the door at Franco’s is wide open for you.
Several bus carriers conduct trips in and out of Ithaca, including Greyhound, OurBus, Flixbus and New York Trailways. Unfortunately, there are currently no Amtrak trains that go to Ithaca. The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport serves as the town’s main airport. It is located three miles northeast of the city center.
Albany
As the capital city of New York state, Albany is blessed with many historic buildings and quaint quarters, making it the perfect city to take a stroll around. One of the city’s top attractions is the famous New York State Capitol Building, a stately structure that has been around since as far as the 19th century. If you wish to learn more about the city’s rich history, head over to Bidwell House museum, which is actually a restored home filled with impressive artifacts. While staying in Albany, do take the time to visit The Egg, a unique-looking building that will certainly satisfy your architectural curiosity.
For a great dinner with a quirky twist, head over to Canvas, Corks and Forks - Schenectady. For some of the best BBQ dishes in town, don’t hesitate to give Warehouse Grill & BBQ a shot.
The busiest bus station in the area is the Albany Bus Terminal. The bus station welcomes buses from New York, Boston, Baltimore, and many other places. The nearest Amtrak train station is located in the neighboring town of Rensselaer, NY. The city’s principal airport is the Albany International Airport, located six miles northwest of Albany.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Ithaca?
Main departure station: Green Street Pharmacy
Buses to Albany leave from 6 stations in Ithaca.
All bus stations in Ithaca:
Green Street Pharmacy
131 East Green Street
130 E Seneca St
Tobin Field House
Cornell University
Cornell University
Where does the bus arrive in Albany?
Image credit: Paul Sableman
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Albany Bus Terminal
The Albany Bus Terminal is a busy hub of intercity bus travel in downtown Albany. Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Adirondack Trailways, and Peter Pan operate bus trips that stop at this station. The terminal has customer service staff on-site, as well as restrooms and a small cafe. Several parking lots are available around the station, and a hotel is available just down the street. It is only a few blocks to downtown Albany and the New York State Capitol complex from the station.
All bus stations in Albany:
Albany Bus Terminal
66 Green Street
Albany SUNY Bus Stop (Collins Circle)
Albany (SUNY)
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